Have had a lot of time on my hands to think about this. I've decided it's the way it's 75 degrees outside but more like, by turns, either just over 100 or just above freezing in my body. And then there's this clammy dew that's always on my forehead. Hate that.

The good part is all the fresh fruit around to eat, but the bad part is that it's too hot for the chicken broth and noodles that are a cold's best friend. I'm surviving instead on iced tea and cherries.

On another front: Anthony Bourdain's been spotted in Seattle filming an episode of The Layover, a show that much as I like Anthony I just can't warm up to. I learned about that from the website Eater which I've just learned has created a Seattle edition. Finally, some acknowledgement that the entire world doesn't revolve around New York and Vegas.

Oh, and Frank, the group project: I love group projects and was so excited to see your post. But you posted just as I was getting ready for out of town visitors, then they came, then we put on a party for 40 together and the day after they left, this cold hit. Between time and inclination, haven't been able to go back to that.

And lastly, no sympathy, that's not why I posted. It's just a summer cold, everyone gets them and no one likes them. I just thought I'd been a bit quiet and offered, basically, why that's been the case.

My wine shopping and I have never had a problem. Just a perpetual race between the bankruptcy court and Hell.--Rogov

Bill, yesterday I had a bit of a setback but today I'm feeling better. Not requiring Even went to a wine tasting group meeting last night, and could smell all! I actually felt so punk around 5ish that I didn't want to go, but this group is so small that when Bob and I and the three bottles we always bring don't show up, it's a drag. Plus I always worry about passing something like this on. Was delighted to get there and find that two of the other four participants were at about the same stage with the same kind of cold. So, should be a lot better by Saturday if I didn't get reinfected last night.

My wine shopping and I have never had a problem. Just a perpetual race between the bankruptcy court and Hell.--Rogov